Does the British Conservative Party break down?

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May may bring the ruling Conservative Party into the political limbo if it fails to win a majority-backed deal with the European Union, a London-based professor of governance, Vernon Bogdanor, has warned.

In an article published by Foreign Policy magazine, Bogdanor pointed out that the British people voted 52% to withdraw from the European Union (BRIC). He said that the spasm has become a feature of British politics since the referendum was held on June 23, 2016.

The British parliament is finding it difficult to resolve the European issue because the May government maintains a minority in the House of Commons (parliament) with 317 seats out of 650 opposition seats.

Attracting MPs
This means that the government must attract the 10 Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist (DUP) deputies who support the withdrawal, to ensure a slim majority in parliament.

Perhaps more importantly, both the ruling Conservative Party and the opposition Labor Party are divided among themselves as supporters of survival in the European Union and pro-Brikist.

The dispute, in Bogdanor's opinion, reflects a state of geographical and cultural division in the country.

The big cities - which believed in the principle of freedom of movement pursued by the European Union - voted for the survival of the Union, while the small ones and the old industrial zones that are hostile to the concept of globalization and freedom of movement, as well as exit (Brikst).

Government deal
According to the author, the government of Teresa Mae agreed to the Prime Minister's deal with the European Union on 18 November last.

The deal includes a legally binding exit agreement that provides for a transitional period until December 2020, during which Britain will remain committed to the rules and laws of the European Union as they engage in negotiations that determine the final relationship between the parties.

The May government suffered an overwhelming defeat in the House of Commons, which refused to approve the deal on January 15, by a majority of 432 deputies, while approved by 202 only.

There was hope for an agreement that would unite the supporters of the EU and its opponents, but what happened between the two parties, according to Bogdanor.

A catastrophic exit
Unless the parliament passes new legislation in less than 40 days from the date set for March 29, Britain will leave the EU without an agreement.

Most analysts consider this option to be catastrophic, as it would mean that the EU would impose customs duties, and even worse, subject British exports to a package of regulations that Bogdanor describes as frightening.

The author concludes his article in Foreign Policy magazine, stressing that it would not be easy for Britain to send goods from London to Paris or Frankfurt.